The first class was similar to last nights class with a lot of pad drills but no kicks. We did a lot of punches from horse stances and front stances. We also did a lot of blocks and I was able to test flexing my lat when doing the outward blocks. It did seem to help but I think I need a lot more time working on it to make it as strong as my inward block.

We finished up with some kata, Heian Shodan. We did it to Sensei’s count first, trying to do the moves the same way we did when we were working with the pads. Then we did it at our own speed and full power.

One thing that Sensei Gatch noticed is that I was pausing to take a deep breath before each move and it was slowing me down tremendously. Before each move, I would inhale deeply instead of just going and then exhaling at the end of each move. When I did Heian Shodan while focusing on breathing the right way, I was faster then ever before. It has taken over three years for one of my Sensei’s to notice that I was doing this and help me fix it. I never would have guessed that I was doing something so simple that has been hindering my Karate for so long. The key thing for me is relearning all move kata moves while breathing properly going forward.

The second class was mostly sparring drills. We did a lot of simple drills but one that took some time to get used to was as follows. From a front stance, we shifted out with an inward block and then threw a reverse punch and then we angled out to the corner and did the same thing but after each move we angled out again until we went in a complete circle completing nine moves. Then we switched to the other hand.

We did an anchor man drill and the object was to stand in front of the line and shift out without blocking and then back in and counter. I was having the worst time not blocking. It is just natural for me to want to block an attack but the object was to shift far enough away so that I didn’t have to block and then shift back in to counter.

Both classes were really good but it really tells me how much work I need to improve.

Training today felt different. I am paying more attention to moving my arms and feet faster. I am also putting more focus on tensing my muscles with each move.

I did one each of:

• Heian Shodan
• Heian Nidan
• Heian Sandan
• Heian Yondan
• Heian Godan
• Jion – I did the first group of moves up to the first kiai.

I also did two Tekki Shodan again since I seem to be making mistakes during the second half of the kata. I have already done this kata hundreds of times but for some reason, I am making mistakes. Oddly, my Heian Godan is better then ever before. I am nailing the jump each time and my hips are really coming around when doing the groin strikes.

Very hard class.

Sensei Cieplik had the day off so Sensei Noia, who’s also my main Sensei, taught class.

We started with a very quick warm up, doing just a few sets of front kicks and our normal front snap kick, reach, step down in the same place with reverse punch. Then we worked on some basic blocks. Moving forward downward block, inward block and outward block and some punches where we opened our hips and threw a jab and then twisted our hips the other way and threw a reverse punch.

After that, out came the rectangular pads. Sensei had us stand with one foot on the pad, in a low stance and then throw front snap kicks. Then we did a combination move that consists of fast front snap kick, slow and low side thrust kick to the knee, fast front snap kick and then put our kicking foot down behind us powerful and quickly. After that, we did the same move but added a slow back kick after the second front snap kick. Keeping my balance was very tough and after just a few reps my legs were spent.

Next, we moved on to more pad drills. We started with punches where we stood in a horse stance, our partner held the pad and we punched it. Then we did the same type of punches but in a front stance and then some blocks. Sensei made a point to tell us to punch from the elbow not the hand. After that we did some hammer fists in to the pad. The hammer fist can generate some serious power when putting the hips behind to the side. We finished with some outward blocks to the pad. I was not able to generate much power behind those for some reason but after class, Sensei told me to flex my lat, on the same side I am blocking with, at the very end. I did not try it on the pads because class ended but I will try it as soon as I can.